IN HIS STRENGTH

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Ephesians 6:10

Just as police officers call for back-up when they sense that danger is imminent, the first thing we must realize about spiritual battle is that in our own strength, we are no match for the devil.

I think a healthy respect of our adversary is in order for believers today. We don't want to underestimate him, nor do we want to overestimate him. We want to accurately assess who he is and what his abilities are.

We need to recognize that he is powerful: we don't want to try and take him on in our own strength.

Sometime you hear some preachers calling the devil silly little names, laughing at him, or making jokes about him.

But we must remember what Jude 9 says: "Yet Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, `The Lord rebuke you!'

Even the high-ranking Archangel Michael did not dare to condemn the devil with mockery. He simply said, "The Lord rebuke you!"
There was a respect of the enemy.

The reason we need to "be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might" is that Satan wants to get us away from that. It is our power base.

He wants to separate us from God, because the moment he gets us away from Him, we become an easy prey. Thus, the devil wants to put a wedge between God and us.

The only power that can defeat Satan is the power of Jesus Christ. Be strong in the Lord. Stay close to Him. Never let anything come between you and the Lord.

Prayer: Lord, draw me closer to You so that I will be strong in You and in the power of your might.

Scriptural Reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

Peaceful Elections We Prayed

We declared peaceful elections in Nigeria today, pls Nigerian vote wisely


From us ASB-WORLD.

Pastor Benny Hinn: My heart is weak but there's no heart disease OR attack

On March 25, Steve Strang interviewed Benny Hinn and his daughter Jessica Hinn-Koulianos regarding his recovery after being rushed to the emergency room on March 20. Here is an edited transcript of that exclusive interview.

Strang: Tell me what happened to your heart.  

Hinn: My heart was in AFib for months. (That's what the doctor said.) When a heart is doing 200 beats a minute or close to it, it stops giving oxygen. You're not getting your blood going where it should go. So, slowly, over five days my organs were filling up with fluid. I was basically losing function in my organs. And my heart, my lungs were filling up with fluid. So when I came back from Brazil, not realizing it, I was basically drowning in my own fluid.

Eating became a very scary challenge because even eating, my strength was not there. I was fatigued. It was really frightening. But, you know, finally my daughter came and said, "You're going to the doctor now." That was on Friday. We found the top specialist here in Orange County and he looked at me, not even five minutes and he put me in the ambulance. He didn't even talk. He just said, "You're going now."

So they rushed me in on Friday. I was so full of fluid that I was actually dying without realizing it. And I could (have), there was a lot of activity around me. One nurse, for example, was trying to talk to another and she screamed back at her, "I'm trying to save his life." And I thought they were talking about someone else. I didn't realize this was all about me.

So then, they put me immediately in ICU and began a work and began to drain me out of all these fluids, kidneys, liver, the lungs. And they had to bring my heart under control because it was in AFib, Atrial Fib. And they tried tests, you name it, to me. I've been exhausted with tests. You think about it, they did it.

So today is the first day that the sun is shining again somewhat. It will shine more I'm sure later, but ... And then they told me that I have an enlarged heart because of the, well they weren't sure at first if it was the AFib or something other was causing it. So when I asked how enlarged was it, he said, "Significantly." So it was scary. That was day before yesterday.

So they, of course, began to treat the heart immediately, brought the AFib under control and when the AFib came under control, the medication and naturally they used other meds to flush me out. It took about four days before the liquids were almost (normal), only yesterday, I think, they told me. They said yesterday my liquids were normal, or I don't have any liquids in my lungs, I have no liquids in any other organs. And so now, what they have to do, and this morning they shocked me. They did it (a couple of days ago) but it didn't work and the doctor said (it was) because my heart was too weak.

Strang: So is this like shocking your heart after someone has a heart attack?

Hinn: No. They were not shocking because I was dying. They were trying to shock my heart back into rhythm. What they do is they can shock the heart back, or they try to shock it back into rhythm. If that doesn't work then they put you on medication for a period and then you can choose to do what is called ablation. Ablation. Basically, they go in and they burn the cells in my heart that are causing the rapid heart rate. So today, they came in at 8:00 and they shocked me again and, thank God, it helped. It took. So I have been in normal rhythm now for two and a half hours.

Strang: Explain about a heart attack, because The Christian Post online reported that you had a heart attack.

Hinn: No. I had no heart attack. Absolutely. That's false. I asked the doctor myself. Yesterday they took me in. They put that thing inside my body, you know, angiogram and they took pictures. And they put me in a big tube and all that, day before that and said they didn't see any sign of a heart attack or such things—no blockage. But they wanted to absolutely make sure, so yesterday they took me down and they put this thing from my leg up and they took, whatever. I don't know how they do it. But afterward, they told me, in no uncertain terms, that I have had no heart attack. My arteries are absolutely clean. There's no heart disease whatsoever. And I am, my heart itself is extremely healthy. My heart is weak but there's no heart disease. I'm 63 years old and I hardly have any plaque in my heart, so it's a healthy heart, thank God.

Strang: So if that's the case, why was it so bad that the nurse was saying they were trying to save your life?

Hinn: OK because, see, when I came in, my heart had been in irregular rhythm for so long that I was basically drowning because of the fluid. My heart was not able to get blood into certain parts of the body properly and get oxygen where I needed properly. I would love for you to talk to one of the doctors. Here's one of them coming in right now.

Strang: It's official. No heart attack.

Hinn: No, never. But you know, the news media will say what they want to say to create some kind of drama, but absolutely no heart attack, thank God. My heart is beating now regularly. They did not put me on medication and they want to keep it that way and God knows what the future holds, but the good thing is I have a healthy heart and we just want to make sure the AF is under control and doesn't come back. That's all.

Note:  Then I talked to Jessica Hinn-Koulianos and said that the doctor confirmed that it was not a heart attack.  

Jessica:  It really wasn't. I'm telling you, I don't lie. It was not a heart attack and they confirmed it with many tests to make sure. You can have silent heart attacks, so that's not a lie, but that's why they confirmed it and they said no, that was not the case. The arteries look good. Everything, even the enlarged heart. They're ruling out everything, so yesterday they did that test to make sure the arteries aren't clogged, and they said that's not the reason.  

All the doctors have reasoned that it was the enlarged heart—that the heart was weak. The reason for the fluid is all related to the AF. He's been in AF probably for a month or two, so his heart was running a marathon and he had no idea. He thought he was tired and he was exhausted from Brazil, and when you do that your body starts to shut down, so getting him here and controlling that rhythm, that changed everything. Now his organs are all normal. The fluid is gone. The heart will go back to normal size within time and it will get stronger every day and the fact that what they did today.

It does sound scary, but it's nothing less than when they bring you back to life. It's very miniscule amounts of shock. It didn't work the other day, which showed that his heart was weak and we got a little more concerned, but it worked today. The doctor said that's a sign that his heart is getting stronger.  

Everything's getting better and it's a very good sign that it did work. So today's a good day. We turned a corner and even the doctor said we're out of the critical stage now. We're turning a corner. They're going to send him home to rest. Today was a good day. It's my birthday and it's all I wanted for my birthday, and I told him God answered all our prayers and he wanted me to tell you because the prayers of people are working. Every day he's getting stronger and today's the best day yet. Great day yesterday with no clogged arteries, that was a great report and then today with the heart, it took and we didn't even know if it would—and it might not have, but it did. 

source: charismanews.com

LEARN TO MAKE GOOD DECISIONS

Forsake foolishness and live, and go in the way of understanding. Proverbs 9:6

We find real peace in our hearts when we live our lives the way God wants us to live it. That does not come easily to anyone.

All of us struggle daily to make choices on issues that we don't fully understand.

Sometimes we think we have made a good decision and then over time the consequences of that decision explode nastily in our face.

We look around ourselves and feel very foolish. It happens to everyone. Even the most mature Christians make mistakes.

However, there are some things we can all do to minimize the bad decisions we make.

Here are a few guidelines:

• Ask God to reveal His priorities for your life and show you how to best pursue them. It is easier to fit other things in your life when you know most important things.

• Carve out time to keep regular appointments with God to pray and listen for His guidance.

• Consider the desires God has placed in your heart and the purposes He has revealed for your life. Keep those desires in the forefront of your considerations.

• Commit to investing some time everyday toward fulfilling those desires and purposes. Big ideas are achieved little by little.

• Regularly update your objectives as God leads you into new seasons of life.

• When making short-term decisions, strive to keep your long-term objectives in mind.

• Spend regular time each day praying, reading the Bible and getting to know more about God's character. Even fifteen minutes each day will add up to great benefit over time.

Prayer: Lord, help me to keep Your priorities for my life this year in focus.

Scriptural Reading: Proverbs 9:1-10

THE NATURE OF CONVICTION

Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you. John 16:7

Jesus assured His disciples that it was to their advantage that He go away so that the Helper could come (John 16:7). God sends Him to convict people of their sin.

Since the Holy Spirit is unlimited by time or space, He can reach out to every individual on the planet.

However, His work differs with regard to believers and unbelievers. With regard to unbelievers, God's Spirit penetrates the heart and brings awareness of wrongdoing.

He reveals that according to God's holy standard, they have sinned and stand condemned by their transgression.

Unbelief is the greatest sin against God, so every prick of the heart is meant to point out their need for the Saviour.

As for believers, the Holy Spirit deals with them on the basis of their relationship with Jesus Christ and convicts us of disobedience to Him.

In other words, He makes us aware of specific sins and the Lord's attitude about them. But He also prompts us to be accountable before Christ for our wrongdoing by confessing it and repenting.

Convicting believers of sin is an important part of the Holy Spirit's job, but He is equally delighted to make them aware of the Lord's approval.

God commends righteous living, obedient actions, and loving acts done in His name. While conviction is often uncomfortable for unbelievers and believers alike, it's a beautiful demonstration of God's love.

He desires to bring us into the centre of His will and keep us there for our good and His glory. The Holy Spirit's work makes that possible, if we choose to follow His promptings.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit in my heart.

Scriptural Reading: John 16:5-11

Prayer for Pastor Benny Hinn, Hospitilized for Heart Problems

The family of Benny Hinn is asking for prayers after the televangelist was hospitalized Friday upon returning from a trip to Brazil.

"After he arrived home he suddenly began battling fatigue and shortness of breath," wrote his daughter, Jessica Hinn Koulianos,in a letter  posted to the Benny Hinn Ministries website.

"For those of you who know my Dad, you know that he never stops; so when he spent over a week in bed, we knew something was wrong," Koulianos wrote.

Hinn, 62, is being treated for "lack of oxygen in his cardiovascular system."

"At this moment, his physicians are conducting thorough tests, the results of which have been very positive. He is alert and in good spirits, and we expect he will be released later this week," Koulianos wrote.

"By God's grace and with the help of your prayers, we are told to expect a complete recovery," she continued.

source: cbn.com

Health: 9 Signs of Improper Blood Circulation

People suffers from a heart attack, and every minute someone dies from a cardiovascular-related disorder. Out of the 720,000 individuals who suffer from heart attacks annually, it is the second time for about 205,000 of them. One of the most common causes of this is poor blood circulation.

Poor Blood Circulation

Heart attacks often occur with no prior warning, unless the sufferer is aware of the signs. Plaque, scar tissue, fatty material, and calcium accumulate in the vital arteries, which are responsible for supplying the heart with blood. The inhibition of blood flow causes angina or chest pain. A complete block results in a heart attack.

Signs of Improper Blood Circulation

There are several signs and causes of poor circulation. It is extremely important to be aware of all of these. It is also essential to consult a medical professional if you experience any of them. Ignoring the signs, or simply brushing them off, could be the difference between life and death.

• Constant extreme fatigue or lethargy
• Edema or swelling of lower extremities
• Tingling or numbness in any of the extremities
• Cold extremities such as feet, toes, hands and/or fingers
• Legs that feel achy or heavy
• Sores that will not heal within the normal amount of time
• Constant dizzy spells
• Poor or declining memory
• Muscle cramps or throbbing, shooting pains

Certain disorders can result in poor circulation such as Peripheral Artery Disease, varicose veins, Diabetes and obesity. Raynaud's Disease, which is another, causes the arteries of toes and hands to constrict. Two extremely prevalent causes of poor circulation are smoking and consistently consuming large amounts of fried, overly processed and fast foods.

Foods to Promote Healthy Blood Flow

There are a number of foods that can promote healthy blood flow. Certain foods react in the body similar to anti-coagulants. One of the best medicines for improper blood circulation are specific foods. Citruline is a compound found in watermelon and the body converts this into L-arginine, which is very helpful in enhancing blood flow. Consuming goji berries is excellent for blood circulation.

Both salmon and avocados contain heart healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They also promote healthy blood flow. Though keep in mind that there has been some concern of farm-raised salmon containing toxic levels of mercury. Garlic adds wonderful flavor to numerous dishes, and ingesting it strengthens arteries. It also inhibits the accumulation of plaque in the arteries.

Capsicum frutescens is found in found in Cayenne Pepper and reduces the stickiness of platelets. It contains vitamin C and E, which promotes circulation. Gingko biloba is rich in antioxidants, which assist in removing contaminants from the circulatory system.

Ginger Root is also said to promote healthy blood circulation. Sunflower seeds increase healthy blood flow, and sunflower oil is often recommended as a healthy alternative oil for heart patients. And for those chocolate lovers out there, there is a bit of great news. Dark chocolate has been shown to improve circulation.

There are a number of exercises that may be incorporated into weekly or daily routine to improve blood circulation. Swimming, biking, jogging and walking all enlarge heart muscles and increase its blood-pumping abilities. Exercises specifically geared toward cardio, such as kick boxing, skiing and running, are excellent exercises for circulation and the heart as well. Resistance and anaerobic routines may be the most helpful for improving blood circulation. This can be weight training, pull-ups and sit-ups.

A good daily exercise does not have to be high impact to help with strengthening the heart. Hiking is also wonderful and rewarding. Taking the kids and/or dog for a stroll in the park provides exercise as well as quality time.

If you feel you are experiencing any of these symptoms, or want to change your diet or lifestyle, please consult a physician before doing so.

Don Colbert, M.D